Avatar: Fire and Ash Outpaces Sequel at Box Office

James Cameron’s latest cinematic venture, Avatar: Fire and Ash, has taken the lead in the closing box office weekend of the year, outstripping both Zootopia 2 and Marty Supreme. The film’s second weekend saw a decline of just 33% from its debut, a figure that stands in stark contrast to the 52% drop experienced by Avatar: The Way of Water in 2022. By comparison, the original Avatar in 2009 managed a mere 1.8% dip, a benchmark the newer instalments can only aspire to.

Following Friday’s takings, Fire and Ash has amassed $84 million over four days. Its domestic total has reached $153.7 million, while international receipts have climbed to $390.6 million, bringing the worldwide sum to $544.3 million. The question remains: is the $2 billion mark within reach for this third chapter?

Box Office Performance and Critical Response

The film’s domestic opening of $89.1 million falls short of The Way of Water’s $134.1 million, yet it edges out the original Avatar’s $77 million start. The first film’s glowing reviews propelled it to a staggering $2.9 billion global haul. The Way of Water, despite a stronger opening, concluded with $2.343 billion. Fire and Ash faces a tougher climb, as its critical reception has been less enthusiastic than its predecessors.

Comparative figures highlight the challenge: Domestic Opening—Avatar ($77m), The Way of Water ($134.1m), Fire and Ash ($89.1m); Domestic Box Office—$785.2m, $688.4m, $153.7m; International—$2.138bn, $1.655bn, $390.6m; Worldwide—$2.9bn, $2.343bn, $544.3m. On Rotten Tomatoes, the latest entry holds 66%, compared to 81% and 76% for the first and second films, respectively. IMDb scores are 7.9, 7.5, and 7.5 out of 10.

Reception and Reviews

This Christmas period has delivered the most robust box office since the pandemic, with an estimated $342.3 million in takings this week. Marty Supreme opened with $25.7 million. Fire and Ash is now the lowest-rated theatrical release in Cameron’s career, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 66% from over 310 reviews. The consensus reads:

Remaining on the cutting edge of visual effects, Fire and Ash repeats the narrative beats of its predecessors to frustrating effect, but its grand spectacle continues to stoke one-of-a-kind thrills.

While the first two films scored 81% and 76% with critics, audiences have been more generous to the latest, awarding it a 90% approval. The production budget exceeded $400 million, placing it among the most expensive films ever made. On Metacritic, it holds 62/100 from 50 critics. Praise has been directed at the visuals, characters, and action, though many found the plot rather simplistic and lacking emotional depth. Oona Chaplin’s portrayal of Varang has been singled out as a highlight, with returning cast members also receiving commendation.

Some critics have been less than kind. Nicholas Barber described it as the “longest and worst” of the series, likening its visuals to an “old arcade game.” Peter Bradshaw found it “largely uninteresting” and a “gigantically dull hunk of nonsense.” David Ehrlich remarked it felt like watching “one of cinema’s greatest explorers walk in circles for three hours.” Ross Bonaime noted it lacked the impact of the earlier films, but still called it “an exceptional moviegoing experience.” FandomWire’s Matt Hambidge, meanwhile, described it as “the best, most emotional Avatar yet.”

Pandora’s New Clans and Themes

This third instalment shifts focus from the familiar Na’vi versus human conflict to the internal dynamics of Pandora’s diverse cultures. Fire and Ash introduces two new Na’vi groups: the Tlalim, or Wind Traders, and the Mangkwan, known as the Ash People. The narrative delves into the darker aspects of Pandora, with the title’s “Fire & Ash” alluding to these themes. Cameron explained:

I don’t think I could say too much about it until you actually see the film and you see what it means, but if you think of fire as hatred, anger, violence, that sort of thing, and ash is the aftermath. So what’s the aftermath? Grief, loss, right? And then what does that cause in the future? More violence, more anger, more hatred. It’s a vicious cycle. So that’s the thinking.

Zoe Saldaña and Sam Worthington reprise their roles as Neytiri and Jake Sully, with Oona Chaplin as Varang, leader of the Ash People. The ensemble also features Sigourney Weaver, Britain Dalton, Jack Champion, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Stephen Lang, Giovanni Ribisi, Edie Falco, Brendan Cowell, Matt Gerald, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Bailey Bass, Jemaine Clement, and David Thewlis.

Avatar: Fire & Ash is screening in cinemas from 19 December 2025. The previous two films are available to stream on Disney+.